RetailWeek Conference Day 1 – Twitter Summary

RetailWeek Conference, taking place in London, March 3-4 2010 – at least according to tweets, is more than a fun. Our readers had today opportunity to follow LIVE top presentations held during the day one of the conference. One of our Digital Signage Experts, Jason Cremins from @signagelive, tweeted from the event. Below is the summary of today’s tweets.

Enjoy the reading!

Declan Curry opening words complete next up Charlie Mayfield Chairman of John Lewis Partnership
Charlie Mayfield of John Lewis Partnership, investment key to their success during recession. http://tweetphoto.com/13099909
Stewart Binnie of Aurora Fashion on stage presenting his analysis of the current economic climate.
slow economic growth expected over several years, post election expect increased interest rates to start to payback borrowing
vacant retail space rose from 7% in 2007 to 14.4% in 2009. 72% units vacant for 6 months+
multichannel retail online and high street needed to maximise growth and retain customers.
online all about price and availability tied with reputation and service of retailer.
investment in technology is key to future growth for retailers. From online to iPhone all channels need addressing
next up The Big Issue : igniting growth in a recession. http://tweetphoto.com/13102847
expect VAT to rise to 20%
need for retailers to create retail theatre for customers and be true to your brand. Selling cheap product will damage the brand.
techology key, merging competing online/offline channels to create true multichannel offering. New innovation very important.
multiple access points for customers very important given the power of Internet and mobile.
next up Stewart Rose M&S currently chatting to Theo Paphitis
Stuart Rose M&S on stage with Declan Curry http://tweetphoto.com/13105479
Stuart Rose very passionate on environmental commitment, retailers must take lead cannot rely on governments.
RT@greg_hodge sir Stuart to the audience: cheer up guys, it’s just one year
RT@timdanaher Rose encouraging positivity: "One year is a blip..got to take a 5 year view"
RT@timdanaher Rose: If Bolland does make £15m will be because he’s doubled mkt cap so shareholders would be happy
RT@ jtarragano Rose: Just cos you’re poor(er) doesn’t mean you don’t care about the planet. I could name a few rich people who don’t give a stuff.
M&S brand can take you from cradle to grave with wider range of products, nothing off limits if legal. TV sales used as example
Rose agrees that Googles claims 25% of all retail sales will be online by 2025. M&S will embrace change and evolve store design.
excellent session by Stuart Rose he has now headed off with his entourage aka his PR team.
whitestuff say quality and customer service is critical to success.
RT@jtarragano My-wardrobe: everyone wants stuff now same day or next day. 7 days you can forget about
RT@jtarragano oops, sorry, that’s white company not white stuff
RT @jtarragano my-wardrobe: debt free and equity funded, since banks consider them high risk given the fashion proposition -they’re changing banks
Be bold with marketing key to success in recession.
RT@JoeyRoey terry green: tesco puts stock & provenance at the centre of customer value perceptions
Next up Terry Green CEO Tesco Clothing, opening comments ‘it’s been a tough year’
RT@retailweek All of our coverage of #rwc2010 can be found here: http://bit.ly/9gHXVQ
RT@greg_hodge Tesco wants F&F to be the biggest fashion brand in the world in 5 years
Beverly Knight MD fortnum & masons – generating instore excitement up now.
customers want more than just to buy, they want us to lift their spirits.
Fortnums a retail theatre not just a shop.
RT@DailyDOOH – Imagesound’s in-house DJ and signagelive’s portrait screen, see http://www.dailydooh.com/archives/23639